Regulating step-switch.



B. MOINNERNBY. REGULATING STEP SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1907.

Patented June 22, 1909.

/vihwoaeo I BENJAMIN MclNNERNEY, OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA.

REGULA'IVING STEP-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Application filed June 28, 1907. Serial No. 381,875.

To all whom it may concern;-.

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN MGINNER- NEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Council B'luifs, in the county of Pottawattamie and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Regulating Step-Switch, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in regulating switches in which a succession of magnetically actuated switches are stepped into action at intervals in the course of the movement of an actuated body or machinery and the objects of my said improvement are; first, to provide such step switch that the series of switches may be thrown in at intervals in the order desired; second, to provide such step-switch capable of regularly and definitely operating a. succession of said switches by a single manipulation of the operating switch; third, to provide a means for automatically and regularly throwing in a succession of switches without the intervention of a motor for the purpose of supplying successive circuits, or throwing in or out successive resistances in circuits or in a single circuit; fourth, to provide such stepswitch without mechanical means for actuating successively the steps of the said switch or mechanically controlling the same and having a minimum number of contacts and parts for adjustment; fifth, to provide such a step-switch in connection with means for reversing the current successively changed by said step-switch and means in connection therewith for changing power and intensity in circuits established and for"locking said reversing switches against interference; sixth, to provide means in connection with the use of said step-switch to prevent operation of line switch except when reversing switch is properly disposed; seventh, to irovide means to prevent the operation of both line and reversing switches in case stepswitch is improperly disposed for initial operation; eighth, to provide means for preventing operation of field speeding switch until the step-switch has completed its functions; ninth, to accomplish these results and objects Without the necessity of opening contacts and inserting extraneous resistances.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear in the description thereof.

I attain these objects by the mechanism and devices illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a diagram of the step-switch connected in the circuit of an electric motor, and in which Fig. 2 is a diagram of such step-switch in connection with reversing switches, a motor circuit and an operating switch.

Similar letter-sand figures refer to similar parts throughout the several diagrams and views.

In many classes of electrical machinery it is desirable to produce by single manipulation of a switch, regular and successive changes in current or to throw in successive circuits or combinationof circuits and in' electrically operated machinery to thus automatically step in or out successive resistances or circuits. It is also highly desirable to provide means to prevent and to safe guard the operation of other switches to improperly operate the circuits and it is especially ad vantageous to accomplish these results without the opening of circuits and inserting extraneous resistances as it has been done heretofore.

IVhile the device is here illustrated in connection with the use of a motor and especially a motor for use in the operation of an elevator or car, it may as well be adapted to other purposes as the throwing in or out of circuits for lighting purposes as sign circuits. In Fig. l the device is illustrated by the connection in the circuit of a motor without reference to its use or direction of motion. 1 and 2 are the respective lines furnishing current to the machinery, in which is interposed the switch .9. In this circuit is placed the armature of the motor 2 with the brushes 8 and 15". The line 2 is connected through the line on to the solenoid ac of the stepswitch and the said solenoid are is connected to theline 1 through the line a. 0 is a magnetic core arranged to move within the! solenoid 0 and having any convenient means for retardation as the dash-pot e. A stationary core 0' is also arranged to be magnetized by the solenoid ac. A series of switch levers or arms f, g, h and i which may be in any desired number are arranged to move from unequal distances by the magnetic attraction of the core 0 when energized and respectively connect the line l from the line 1 to the contacts 1, 1 3 and 3 re spectively. The said contacts 1, 1 3 and 8 respectively connect thesuccessive circuits, which may be used and varied in different systems to which the invention is applied. In the case for illustration the line 1 is connected through the successive armature resistances w, m, w" and y, or the resistance 3 may be a series field resistance. The usual shunt field is shown at y. The contact piece 1 is connected through the line 5 to the resistance w and w. The contact piece- 1 is connected through the line 7 through the resistances w and w". The contact piece 3 is connected to the resistances w and y. The contact piece 3 is connected through the line 11 to the line 13 and line 13 connects to the brush ot' the armature 8.

When the step-switch having the solenoid a0 is used connection with a motor and means for reversing the same as in use for elevator or hoisting purposes it may be connected up as illustrated by the diagram in Fig. 2, in which a current in an operating circuit is employed with a motor or power circuit, but the former of which may be taken from the current of the latter. switch bar 03 is supplied with current from line 2 through the line p and is arranged to make contact with the'contact pieces a?) and a b. For the purposes of illustration the contact points a and b will be used to represent the contacts for a downward direction marked Down upon the diagram and the contact points a and b for an upward direction marked Up on the diagram. The contact a is connected through the lines j, 1 and m to the step-switch of solenoid a0. And the step-switch solenoid ac is connected to the line 1 by the line 12.. The contact piece a is connected through the lines 71, 1, 1""

and m to the solenoid ac. The line 1 is joined to the line 1 through the solenoid m of a suitable reversing switch. And the line 1 is connected to the line 1"" through the solenoid rm of said reversing switch. The line 1 is connected to the levers f, g, h, 2' at 1 and through the line 3 (Fig. 2). The switch levers f, g, k and i make contact respectively with the contact pieces 1, 1, 3 and 3 as heretofore described.

When reversing switches are used a suitable connection ap may be passed through the core 0', operated by the core 0. And upon the connection -up may be placed the movable cores p0 and p0 of the reversing switches having the solenoid rm and rm respectively. The cores or and or are operated by energizing the solenoids rm and 1m respectively and a mechanical means of noninterference as by the lever 9 may be arranged to prevent both of said cores 01' and or from holding up the switch plates or blades 131" at the same time. Line l3is connected to the contact pieces 13*, 13 and 1 and the contact piece 1 is connected to the line 1'. The contact pieces 8 and 8 are connected through the line 8 to the brush of the armature 8 The contact pieces 15 and 15 are connected through the line 15 to the brush of the armature 15". The line 2 may The connect with the contact pieces 9.? and 2 And the contact piece 2 may be connected by the lever '12 to the contact piece 4 and the contact piece 2 connected by the switch lever 'v to the contact piece 4*. And the contacts 1* and 4 are connected through the lines 4 and 6 to the contact pieces 6 and 6 which are arranged to make contact with the plate 7" of the reversilig switch having the solenoid am. The contact piece 2* is connected to the line 2 andthe cont-act piece at to the line 4. And the switch plate or blade pbis arranged to connect the contact pieces 4 and 2 The contact pieces 1' and 1 may be connected by the plate or switch bar pa upon the rod or connection up. The line 15 may be also connected to the contact piece 15 which by the switch I} connects the contact piece 15 to the contact piece 10*. And the contact pieces 10 and 10 and 10 are con- 10 and 10 are connected by the switch '2). In the line 10 are the magnet coils w and '20 arranged to actrespectively upon the switches a and 12. And in the same line 10 may also be placed suitable dynamic brake resistance 8. The magnet coil w when energized is arranged to hold the switch 4), connecting the contacts 10 and 10 and breaking the connection between contacts 1 and 2. The magnet coil to is arranged to nected by the line 10 and the contact pieces hold the switch o connecting thecontacts 10 and 15 and breaking the" connection between contacts 4 and 2. Upon the switch d may also be placed the contacts 6 and b. The contact. I) is connected by the line 0 to the solenoid t. And the solenoid L is connected to the line 1. The contact piece I) is connected by the line 0' to the solenoid t and the solenoid 2." is connected with the line 1. The core at upon the connection cap is arranged to be energized by the solenoids ti.

and t and which said core 025 is movable with relation to said solenoids t and t. The core at is also energized by the solenoids t and t and the switch a is actuated by the magnetic energy of the solenoids t and if respectively. In the line between 1 and 1 the usual shunt field 3 may be placed and the line 1 connected to the contact piece 2 and the speeding resistance y, which speeding resistance is also connected with the contact piece 3 The contacts 3 and 2 are closed by the switch it. The resistance k in'the lin'e j and k in the line i may be supplied for equalizing the current in the operating circuit.

In my invention the commencement'of action of the switch levers f, g, h, i, '0, 'v and u is dependent upon their adjusted distance from the cores of the solenoids attracting them and the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. The switch levers f, g, h and '5 upon the step-switch having the solenoid a0 are constructed to occupy such relative positions movement of the cores 7 and 1" toward the respective cores p0 and p0 increases the magnetic field of said cores and at the proper position of said cores operate the respective switches '0 and 1;. Likewise the core at approaching the core ct changes the magnetic field of said cores to actuate the switch u at the desired period. In this manner itis unnecessary to have any mechanical means to operate or control the respective levers f, gplaand i of the step-switch or to vary or change their distance from or to the energizing cores. By supporting the cores p0 and p0 of the reversing switches r and 1" upon the connection a1) and moving them thereby the reluctance of the magnetic circuits is suflicient to prevent the operation of both of said switches r and 1" and they will remain closed upon the respective contacts 13 and 15, and 15 and 6 when the core 0 of the step-switch having the solenoid ac is at or near the extremity of its upward movement, and the operation of the switches 'v and o is prevented from closing upon the respective contacts 1* and 2 or 4 and 2.

The operation of my invention is illustrated as follows :The switch (Z is moved upon the contact a, and a current through the line j and 1 energizes the solenoid rm and through the line Zm and m energizes the solenoid ac, the current passing through the line H out through the line 1. \Vhen the core 0 of the step-switch is in position for initial operation the switch 1- opens on the contacts 13* and 15 and closes on the contacts 13 and 8; the core 01' being in close proximity to the core 90, the magnetic field is strong and operates the switch 2; opening it upon the contacts 10 and 15" and closing it upon the contacts 4 and 2. The circuit is therefore established through the line 2 the switch 0, the line 4, the line 6, the switch r through the line 15 to the armature brush 15", the motor z, the brush 8, the line 8 through the switch 1', the line 13, through the resistances y, w, m and m out to the line 1. The current through the connections just described tends to startthe motor at a slow speed. The op erating current through the solenoid a0 gradually raises the core 0 against its retarding effect as the dash-pot e, and as it rises the magnetic reluctance decreases and the strength of the magnetic field of the solenoid ac is increased as the core 0 approaches the core a. The switch f is firstop'erated by reason of being first in order of position of .the switches f, g, h and 2'. Upon the operation of the. switch f, the current through therline 13, resistances-y, w and :0 passes through the line 5 and the switch f to the line 1, cutting out the armature resistance Upon further movement of the core c'the lever g is in the same manner operated and the current through 13, resistances y and w passes through the line 7 and the switch 9 to the line 1. In the same manner the switch it is operated upon the contact 3 and the current through 13 and the resistance 3 passes through the line 5), the switch 8 and the line 3, the line 7, the switch 9 to the line 1 as heretofore described. Likewise the lever 2' is operated to close upon the contact 3, sending the current from 13 through the line 11, the switch 2' as heretofore described to the line 1, short circuiting all of the resistances a0, 00, w and y. The switch plate or bar pa upon the connection ap may then be arranged to close upon the contacts la and 1 short circuiting the step-switch having the solenoid ac. The switch pb upon the connection a7) may in a like manner he arranged to close upon the contacts at and 2* short circuiting the switch 2; or the switch v ii the latter be closed upon the contacts 2 and 1. During this operation the current from 2, passes through the contacts 3 and 2 and the switch it, the line l and the shunt field y to the line 1.

Having changed the speed of the motor after the operation herein described, additional points upon the switch d may be pro vided as b, which will in addition to energizing the solenoids rm and ac energize the solenoid t and when the core 02 has reached the core ct and the field of the solenoid t becomes strong enough, it will operate the switch a and increase the shunt field resistance y by addition of the resistance y". It is obvious that in the same manner other speeding resistances might he stepped in as the armature resistances are stepped out.

TV hen the switch cl is thrown off from the contacts 6 and a by the operator the solenoids t, rm and a0 are not further energized and the switches f, g, h, 2' open and the connection a opens the switch pa on the contacts 1 and l and the motor circuit is broken. The switch v likewise opens upon the contacts 4 and 2 and closes the contacts 10 and 15 and the circuit of the motor through the lines 15, 10, the dynamic brake resistance 8 and the line 8 is completed. thus resisting the movement of the armature 2 of the motor. The magnet coils w and 'u," are energized and hold the switches 12 and a respectively to close the contacts 10 and 15 coils 1m and rm respectively, when switches w and '0 have position shown in drawing (Fig. 2) thus preventing the operator from again closing switches 'v and '0. until motor armature 2 has come to rest. In similar manner the operation of the switch (Z upon the contact a operates the switch having the solenoid rm and the switch having the solenoid ac, closing the motor circuits through the line to the switch 0', the line 6, the switch r, the line 8 the armature a of the motor, the line 15, the switch f to the line 1: moving the armature of the motor in the opposite direction to the one formerly described. As the cores pa and 790' are by the movement of the core 0 and the connection up moved away from the cores (2" and 01", the field of the respective solenoids rm and rm is weakened. And if the solenoid rm be energized only when the switch 1' is closed upon the contacts 13 and 8, and from any cause the solenoid 1m becomes energized while the switch 1" is closed upon the contacts 15 and 6 the field of the solenoid will be too weak to operate the switch '0. By use of any suitable lever as (1 the operation of the switch 1' to close upon the contacts 13 and 8 can be arranged to prevent the operation of the switch 1 to close upon the contacts 8 and (3 in case there any derangement of the mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that more or less imperfect mechanical step-switches have been used before my invention thereof, but

V hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a regulating step-switch, a magnetic circuit, a movable member actuated by said magnetic circuit and adapted to vary the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit, and a series 'of unequally disposed switches within the operating range of said field.

2. In a regulating step-switch, a magnetic circuit, a movable member actuated by said magnetic circuit and adapted to vary the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit and a series of unequally disposed switches within the range of said field adapted to be successively operated by such variation of the intensity of said magnetic field.

3. In a regulating step-switch, a solenoid, a core operated by said solenoid and movable to change the intensity of the field of the magnetic circuit of such solenoid and a series of switches disposed at varying distances within the operating range of said field adapted to operate successively by such change of intensity of said field.

4. The combination of, an operating circuit, a solenoid therein, a core moved by the magnetic circuit of said solenoid to change the intensity of the field of said solenoid to operate in succession a series of switches disposed at varying distances within the range of operation of said field, and circuits controlled by said series of switches.

5. The coinbinationof, an operating circuit, a solenoid therein, a core moved by the magnetic circuit of said solenoid to change the intensity of the field of said solenoid to operate in succession a series of switches disposed at varying distances within the range oi' operation of said field.

(3. The combination of, an operating circuit, a solenoid therein, a core moved by the magnetic circuit of said solenoid to change the intensity of the field oi said solenoid to operate in succession a series of switches disposed at varying distances within the range of operation of said field, and means for retarding the movement of said core.

7. The combination of, an operating circuit, a solenoid therein, a core moved by the magnetic circuit of said solenoid to change the intensity of the field of the solenoid to operate in succession a series of switches disposed at varying distances within the range 01 operation of said lield, circuits controlled by said series of switches, and means for retarding the movement of said core.

8. In an automatic step-switch, the com bination of an operating circuit, a magnetic circuit created thereby, a stationary pole piece and a movable member in said magnetic circuit, a series of switches disposed at varying distances from said stationary pole piece adapted to be magnetically operated in succession by the gradual movementof said movable member to change the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit.

9. In a regulating step-switch, a magnetic circuit, a movable member actuated by said magnetic circuit and adapted to vary the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit and a series of unequally disposed switches within the range of said field adapted to be successively operated by such Variation of the intensity of said magnetic field, and a switch upon said movable member short-circuiting said series of switches.

10. In a regulating step-switch, a magnetic circuit, a movable member actuated by said magnetic circuit and adapted to vary the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit and a series of unequally disposed switches within the range of said field adapted to be successively operated by such Variation of the intensity of said magnetic field, and reversing switches.

11. The combination of an operating circuit, a solenoid therein, a stationary core, a movable core operated by the magnetic field of said solenoid with means for regulating the approach of said cores to magnetically operate at intervals, a series of switches disposed within the range of the field of said cores.

12. The combination of a solenoid having a stationary core and a movable core operated b said solenoid with means for regulating he movement of said movable core to operate in succession a series of switches and a secondary switch operated by a secondary solenoid and a core attached to and moving with the movable core of said first mentioned solenoid.

13. The combination of switch having a solenoid, a stationary core, a movable core, a series of unequally disposed switches and reversing switches having actuating solenoids with cores movable with the coreof said step-switch to vary the intensity of the field switches.

14. The combination of a regulating stepswitch having a solenoid, a stationary core, a movable core, a series of unequally disposed switches and reversing switches having actuating solenoids with cores movable with the core of said step-switch to. vary the intensity of the field of said reversing switches and auxiliary switches operated by the solenoids of said reversing switches.

15. 111 a regulating step-switch, a magnetic circuit, a movable member actuated by said magnetic circuit and adapted to vary the intensity of the field of said magnetic circuit, and a series of unequally disposed switches within the operating range of said field, and a secondary magnetic circuit and a movable pole piece attached to and moving with said movable member to vary the intensity of said secondary magnetic circuit and a switch operated by said secondary magnetic circuit.

16, In a regulating step-switch, the combination of an operating circuit, a solenoid,

a regulating stepa stationary core, a movable core, a series of unequally disposed switches, reversing switches, and a'secondary solenoid having a core movable with the core of said stepswitch and a secondary switch operated by said secondary solenoid, said secondary switch and said series of switches operating respective circuits.

17. The combination of an operating circuit, reversing switches and a solenoid therein, a stationar core in said solenoid and a core operated by said solenoid and movable to operate in succession a series of switches and a secondary switch operated by the magnetic field of a secondary solenoid in said operating circuit and a core moved in said secondary solenoid.

18. The combination of an operating circuit, a step-switch therein having a movable core, means for retarding the movement of said core, a secondary solenoid in said opef ating circuit, a core movable in said secondary solenoid and connected with said first mentioned movable core and an auxiliary switch operated by said secondary solenoid of said reversing and core and a motor circuit controlled by said auxiliary switch and step-switch.

19. The combination of a regulatin stepswitch having a mechanically retarde movable core and magnetically operating a series of switches in succession, reversing switches, and auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches and means for rendering said auxiliary switches inoperative.

20. The combination of an operating circuit, a regulating step-switch therein, a means for short circuiting said step-switch, reversing switches, auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches, a means for "rendering said auxiliary switches inoperative and a motor circuit controlled by said step-switch, reversing switches and auxiliary switches.

21. The combination of an operating circuit, reversing switches and a series of switches successively operated by varying the intensity of a magnetic field created by said operating circuit, auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches and means to mechanically interlock said reversing switches, and a motor circuit controlled by said switches.

22. The combination of an operating circuit, reversing switches and a regulating step-switch having a series of switches successively operated by varying the intensity of a magnetic field created by said operating circuit, auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches and a secondary switch operated by said operating circuit in conjunction with the movement of the movable pole piece of said step-switch, all of said switches operating to control a power circuit.

23. The combination of an operating circuit, a step-switch operated by said operating circuit and having a series of magnetic-' ally operated switches, reversing switches, auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches, a secondary switch operated by said operating circuit and the movement of thecore of said step-switch, a power circuit controlled by said step-switch, reversing switches, auxiliary switches and secondary switch and a dynamic brake resistance in said power circuit;

24. The combination of an operating switch, an operating circuit, a regulating step-switch, reversing switches, auxiliary switches operated by said reversing switches, solenoids holding said auxiliary switches iniliary switches and secondary switch.

25. The combination of an operating switch, an operating circuit having equalizoperative when improperly disposed, a seccircuit and the core of said step-switch and the motor circuit controlled by said regu-' circuit, the core of said secondary solenoid arranged to move with the core of said stepswitch and a switch" in the motor circuit operated by said secondary solenoid, a motor circuit, resistances and means for short circuiting said step switch and reversing switches.

27. The combination of a regulating stepswitch, having a movable member, and reversing switches, said reversing switches having pole pieces movable with the movable member ofsaid step-switch to vary the magnetic field of said reversing switches.

28. The combination of a regulating stepswitch, having a movable member, and reversing switches, said reversing switches having pole pieces movable with the movable member of said step-switch to Vary the magnetic field of said reversing switches and auxiliary switches.

29. The combination of a regulating stepswitch, having a movable member, and reversing switches, said reversing switches havmg pole pieces movable with the movable member of said step-switch to vary the magnetic field of said reversing switches and auxiliary switches and means for rendering the same inoperative.

30. The combination of a regulating stepswitch, having a movable member, and reversing switches, said reversing switches having pole pieces movable with the movable member of said step-switch to vary the magnetic field of said reversing switches and auxiliary switches adapted to simultaneously break a motor circuit and make a dynamic brake circuit.

31. The combination of a regulating stepswitch, having a movable member, and reversing switches, said reversing switches having pole pieces movable with the movable member of said step-switch to vary the magnetic field of said reversing switches and auxiliary switches adapted to simultaneously break a motor circuit and make a dynamic brake circuit and means for holding auxiliary switches inoperative while current flows in such dynamic brake circuit.

BENJAMIN MGINNERNEY. \Vitnesses:

' LAwsoN SOLOMON,

CLEM. F. KIMBALL. 

